It’s a good thing I get follow up comments sent (does this mean that everyone who commented on this is getting this? If so -sorry to bother you ; )

It’s funny… where is it… I just saw on someone’s blog this weekend, a wonderful guide to how to dress for the weather here. Oh I know who it is! She’s wonderful:

http://lookingfabinyourforties.blogspot.com/2011/01/guide-to-dressing-for-inclement-weather.html

Those black knee high ‘rain’ boots sound perfect. My main wardrobe staple (until I recently got gifted a pair of Mou’s) is a reasonably priced, classic black leather riding boot – knee high, flat heel.. I’m actually wearing them in my post from last New Year’s Day – stalking deer.

My suggestion is don’t waste a penny on buying anything in advance – you’ll need all you can just to deal with the exchange rate on a student budget – and see how you feel when you get here. I still feel that ‘wellies’ are perfect in summer for festivals, mud, etc and look great with bare legs and little floral flirty dresses, so it sounds like what you’ve already got is ideal. I’m not seeing much over the knee on anyone on the streets, and the little short bootie, too – anything with a crazy heel is fine for showing off but it’s useless for day to day.

How random is this: tomorrow I and a bunch of other fashion bloggers are meeting at St. Pancreas station at 8:00 a.m. to take a train to LEICESTER for a day trip for Next.

You’re so sweet to follow up with readers comments and offer advice!!
Charissa

I’m so touched by your comment, esp. about being scared you’ll stand out (i.e. as not being English). I don’t know your nationality, but I’m an American, and when I moved here with my English husband, I actually thought of I didn’t speak, I might ‘pass’ for English! (& I’m normally pretty chatty). I, too, was so worried about not standing out, about ‘fitting in’. I had no idea that a) there are TONS of Americans (and even more foreigners) b) tons of foreign students and c) it doesn’t matter! There is no norm, really, about fitting in: women of all ages are much more comfortable in their own skin, IN GENERAL, than in other countries: if your hair is curly, forget the curling irons. The people with the best ‘style’ are the ones with their own style, wearing what they love: what they feel happy in.

I can’t tell you how many times someone asked where I was from, I told them (NY) and they said ‘oh I’d love to live there! I’m planning to visit …’ and then go on to tell me their plans.

You will probably be at festivals – in fields, with tons of mud – and be kicking yourself that you didn’t bring your beloved rain boots. My suggestion is bring them, bring whatever else makes you smile & feel good about yourself, but try to pack as light as possible – it’s summer, after all – and then forget about all that, and focus on having a wonderful, magic adventure this summer!

Get in touch when you’re here!

Don’t mean to dampen the festive spirit but just to advise you that it’s either St.Patricks Day or St. Paddy’s Day, NEVER St.Patty’s Day!! Some of us find it a little insulting, not to mention Patty is a girls name!!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!!!
xxx

~*Irish*Girl*~

Bri: those last three posts, Niamh’s, Emily’s about the umbrellas, and Stephs, are so perfect. I’m amazed at how trends are different than in the states but don’t worry too much: bring what you have, what you like – definitely bright colours, why not, esp if you’re happy in them. One thing I’ve noticed here in London, and it’s probably no different at universities, is that the most important thing stylistically is BE YOURSELF and be true to yourself. People wear the most ridiculous stuff – Great Britain is the home of the English Eccentric, remember! In fact, if there is one look that’s the most popular right now, I’d have to call it ‘English Eccentric’.

In East London – Spitalfields market area, and Camden – where a lot of style originates – I’m seeing people mixing up patterns.. anything goes. Just bring layers, which like everyone’s saying, you’ll need to peel on & off even thru the summer – and just have a great time. Just remember you will never be a student abroad, in that place, again. You can come back, but you won’t be in this particular experience. I don’t remember what I wore when I was there, but I”ll never forget the people I met, and places I went, the things I did.

I’m quite excited for all of you, actually!

If you’re going to Galway, then any style goes really as it’s quite an easy going studenty city! It does rain ALOT though so I’d suggest getting a good jacket to withstand the rain!! Also Galway is a very windy city so I wouldn’t suggest getting an umbrella as it’ll be broken/gone/floating down the Corrib in 5 mins flat.

Also remember (esp if you’re walking to college) that Ireland isn’t as cold as it is rainy, if you’re walking you’ll quickly warm up! What I suggest (after 4 years there!) is to wear a thin(ish) long sleeved t-shirt underneath a good warm thick jacket and to bring a cardigan and scarf in your bag for in the classroom/library.

You may want to bring gloves/hat and other wintery bits as we’re having the coldest weather in almost 30 years here which weather forcasters have no idea when it’s going to end.

And also TO ALL VISITING STUDENTS to stock up on vitamin C!! I’ve seen SO MANY foreign students thinking that it’s just the coldness that they need to tackle without realising that Ireland is quite damp which can causes so many colds! I remember meeting a group of french students who said that the biggest weather shock to them was the amount of colds they kept getting!!

But it’s not all bad, when we get sunny days in May and June, the country looks even more beautiful!!!

So Good Luck and Enjoy!!!
xx